As Christians, our faith is formed around stories from the Bible. There, we learn about Jesus feeding 5000 people with a couple of fish and five loaves of bread. Or we remember that he calmed a storm and walked on water. We may recall that following his resurrection, Jesus fed his disciples on a beach not far from Capernaum. Other stories that form our faith come from the Hebrew scriptures. We remember that God created the earth and called it good. We give thanks that God heard the Israelites’ cries when they were slaves in Egypt and sent Moses to lead them to freedom. We celebrate that Esther won freedom for her people.

At St. Thomas, our common life is formed around stories. Thinking back on 2022, I remember how good I felt when the church was full for the first time since COVID on Easter Sunday. I recall that huge collection of Thanksgiving Bags in the narthex for the families in the Second Story in the Community program. And I keep smiling remembering the star in our Christmas pageant climbing onto the roof of the stable. I still feel upset when I remember the terrible Zoom bomb last February. And I continue to grieve the loss of Peter and Kadri. It is really true that when I think back on 2022, what I remember are all the stories that make up this last year.

At its heart, the Annual Parish Meeting is all about stories. Members of the staff, our wardens, and our treasurer will share their important stories from this last year. Through those stories, we will celebrate what went well – and acknowledge where we could have done better. Our printed Annual Report, distributed before the meeting via email, will highlight even more stories of our common life.

The other thing we’ll do at our Annual Parish Meeting is give thanks. So many people at St. Thomas give tirelessly of their time and talent. We’ll thank outgoing Vestry members for their service. Both Toby Bush and Kittie Ellis are leaving the Vestry after spending virtually their entire Vestry terms coping with the COVID pandemic. Melinda Fairchild’s term is ending also. But because she filled Mollie Regan’s unexpired Vestry term when Mollie joined our staff as the Interim Family Minister, Melinda will be nominated to serve a term of her own.

There will be a slide show (more stories). We’ll share information about how things are going at the Early Learning Center. And Pat Smith will fill us in on our financial picture. We’ll have an update on how things are going with Lot B (spoiler alert: not as fast as we wish it were thanks to the slowness of Fairfax County). And we’ll answer any questions you might have.

Come be part of this moment in the St. Thomas story – on Sunday January 22, 2023 – during or 10AM worship service.

Blessings and love,

Fran